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Friday, May 10, 2013

Readers, please follow all the instructions at the bottom of the post if you want to be included in the giveaway.

I'm thrilled to be sharing this new book with you. I've loved all of Rachel's books, but this is my favorite. I read it in one day last week. I honestly had a hard time putting it down when I had to. It's engaging, has plenty of depth, and the characters grabbed my heart right away. ... And I love princess stories.

Welcome, Rachel. I love your new headshot. One of my favorite pictures of me was when the photographer caught me when I was teaching a session, and I was laughing. Please tell us a bit
about yourself.

I’m ten pounds overweight and I like potato chips. One
explains the other. I’m a Florida girl with Ohio roots and I love
the sun on my shoulders.

Writing is a passion and an emotional outlet for me. I
started writing my first novel in ’94. An epic WWII book that lived in the
darkness of my closet until I pilfered some scenes for the sub plot in Love Starts with Elle.

My husband is my best friend and makes me laugh. We don’t
have children but a very spoiled dog.

When I’m not writing, I loved to hit a good spin class or
lift weights, watch college football and troll Facebook for the latest
happenings with my family.

I’m taking piano lessons and that’s all I’ll say about that…
There’s a reason we take lessons as kids under our Mama’s watchful eye.

I lead worship at my church!

Is Once Upon a Prince part of a series?

Most certainly! It’s the first in the Royal Wedding Series! Princess Ever After is next.

I can hardly wait for the next one. What was your
inspiration to write Once Upon a Prince?

Duchess Kate, seriously. I got up at 5:00 a.m. to watch her
marry Prince William and I thought, “The world just fell in love with her.” I
was right. I knew she was the new Princess Di.

Her poise and confidence got me thinking and dreaming of
royal weddings and an idea for a series was born.

How much research did
Once Upon a Prince take?

Quite a bit. At first I just read a lot of royal history
online but found I was shallow on some actual history and interaction with living
royals. I read about 4 books on the British royal family and one on the three
cousins, Nicholas II, George V, and Wilhelm II.

It’s fascinating history.

What are the some of
the most interesting facts that you learned while researching and writing Once Upon a Prince?

Ah, you had to ask… I just pulled a mental blank. Well,
let’s see, for starters, Queen Victoria wanted
to marry her children to the royals of Europe
because she thought it would lead to peace.

Her great grandsons were George V and Kaiser Wilhelm II as
well as Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Alexandra. They were all first cousins.

George and Nicolas look like twins.

Also, I realized in more depth how deeply WWI impacted Europe. Almost all of the royal houses fell after that
war.

What other new
writing projects do you have on the horizon?

I’m working on the rewrites for Princess Ever After as well as a novella to be released next
spring. Stay tuned for more on that front! After that will be the third Royal
Wedding book.

What message would
you like your readers to take from reading Once
Upon a Prince?

I wanted to show how God has a plan for us even when our
lives look out of control or so unplanned it seems they will never get on
track. Also, that when we surrender completely to the Lord, He never forsakes
us. His plans for us are good.

There’s also a bit of a picture about how the power of love
can change a nation.

What organizations
are you involved with?

I’m on the executive board of American Christian Fiction
Writers and a member of Romance Writers of America.

What are some of the
challenges you face as an author?

My biggest challenge lately has been really utilizing my
time well. When I first left the corporate world to write full time, I managed
my writing time fairly well. But with the onslaught of social media, and nine
years of working from home, I don’t manage my time as well as I’d like.

Working on it…

I totally understand
that. Who is the person who most influences your writing?

My writing partner Susan May Warren has a huge impact on my
writing because we talk craft and stories all the time. I also brainstorm with
her throughout the first and final draft process.

My editor is also a major influence because she’s the first
one to actually read the story and react. I value her opinion immensely.

What aspects of being
a writer do you enjoy the most?

Writing! Story telling. Holding the completed, printed book
in my hand. Most of all, hearing from readers!

What do you do to get
away from it all?

I live in Florida
so the beach is fifteen minutes away. I like to drive over there sometimes. I
love to hit the gym. I can really disconnect from the stress of writing in a
spin class. And often I find solutions to plot or character problems.

I also love a good prayer/worship set. I love watching
Netflix with my Hubby!

Is there anything
else you’d like to add?

Thanks for having me Lena!! Appreciate you.

It's my great pleasure to have you drop by, Rachel.

One "royal" winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 27th. Winner will be announced at the "Once Upon a Prince" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 28th. Connect with Rachel for an evening of book chat, wedding trivia, laughter, and more! Rachel will also be sharing a sneak peek at the next book in the series and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Once Upon a Prince and join Rachel on the evening of May 28th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

30 comments:

Please include this gal from Ontario Canada in the giveaway. I signed up to tour this book, but somehow it's been lost in translation and I am no longer in it. Would love to read the book though. Many thanks.

Like to read this author and glad to see you today on Lena's blog. thanks for chance to win one of your books, I have signed up for the FB party so see ya there Rachel...Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)a reader in Ga

I entered Rachel Hauck's giveaway/sweeps and I would also like to be entered for your one free book giveaway. You have such good opportunities to try to win a book. And you know that the books I win go to the Alamance Christian School library, too. I'm in middle North Carolina.

Hope all you mothers have a lovely weekend and remember each of you is special!

I truly loved this interview because it gives us such a wonderful glimpse into your life and writing! I am so very thankful that I stumbled across the Southern Belles earlier this year, as it has begun to introduce me to each of the Belle's contribution to literature! When I first saw the coverart for this book Once Upon A Prince, I thought!? That's a wickedly smashing book! Full of light, joy, and happiness!! I love the expression on the girl's face too! :)

I would be honoured to win but simply delighted that I can celebrate this book launch with you!! Oh! I didn't know you were in Florida!? How did that slip past me!?